PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN
There appears to be some promising news! BUT YOUR CONTINUED HELP IS NEEDED -- NOTHING IS CERTAIN. On Tues., April 15 at 9:00 a.m. in 110 Senate Bldg., Senator Aronberg's bill, SB 2194, will be heard before the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries...review Senator Aronberg's bill, and please e-mail or call to let them know your position on SB 2194 -- especially regarding the Recovery Fund.
A MESSAGE FROM LINDA ARMSTRONG, FLORIDA REP: PROPOSED PROVISIONS TO ABOLISH THE RECOVERY FUND
Hello Everyone:
There appears to be some promising news! BUT YOUR CONTINUED HELP IS NEEDED -- NOTHING IS CERTAIN.
On Tues., April 15 at 9:00 a.m. in 110 Senate Bldg., Senator Aronberg's bill, SB 2194, will be heard before the Senate Committee on Regulated Industries. PLEASE ATTEND IF YOU CAN.
I understand that the proposed provisions to ABOLISH the Recovery Fund MAY be deleted from SB 2194. This is promising news for homeowners who suffer financial harm by Division I contractors (residential, general, building). HOWEVER, I am not aware of any proposed amendment to reinstate Recovery Fund coverage for homeowners who suffer financial harm by Division II contractors (roofing, pool, plumbing, heating/cooling, etc.).
If the Recovery Fund is NOT abolished, this is a GOOD FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
I hope you willl take the time to review Senator Aronberg's bill, and PLEASE DO e-mail or call the following to let them know your position on SB 2194 -- especially regarding the Recovery Fund.
Your legislators and anyone who can help
My general opinion: If Florida has a Construction Lien Law that requires homeowners to pay TWICE (or more) for building, remodeling, or repairing homes, then Florida MUST provide a Homeowners' Construction Recovery Fund for victims who suffer financial harm due to certain acts by both Division I and Division II contractors.
The most common problems:
1. The homeowner pays the contractor but the contractor fails to use the owner's money to pay subcontractors and suppliers (third/fourth parties who are not in direct contract with the owner), BUT, BY LAW, these unpaid persons/companies can file liens against the owner's property to try to recover their losses. Homeowners who fail to satisfy (pay off) any valid liens (PAY TWICE FOR CONSTRUCTION) face certainty of foreclosure, seizure and sale of their homes;
2. Contractors who take deposits; do little or no work, disappear; do shoddy work; abandon jobs; file bankruptcy, have their debts discharged or forgiven (even get a fresh business start), leaving the homeowner required, BY LAW, to pay the contractor's debts.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED HELP FOR FLORIDA'S CONSUMERS. WITHOUT YOUR PARTICIPATION, WE COULD NOT HAVE COME THIS FAR...........
In the event you need help in accessing SB 2194: www.flsenate.gov On left side, you will see "Search Bill Text" - Click on that - List Bill # - Click "Go" - or "Jump the Bill" and enter the bill number.
Linda Armstrong - HOBB Florida Chapter
www.hobb.org |